Hey there, so the off season for me actually means me getting in shape as well so I can ride with my boys some. I get better insight on their fitness level when I ride with them as opposed to following in the team car, and it allows me to dabble in one of my favorite foods, dark chocolate!

This past week I raced a duathlon in Albi-5kms run-30kms ride and 5kms run again, my last little effort before the Toulouse marathon this weekend.

This morning Laurent Lefevre, one of Bouygues Telecom's older riders, is coming to my recently converted living room to gym to start his off season lifting program. My goal is to get this boy back in the winner's circle! He was a bronze medalist at junior worlds years ago, 2nd in two Tour stages this year and has loads of talent but....??? confidence? ambition? Not really sure but no worries, if nothing else he will be ready to win in 2010!

Next Monday I'll be going door to door to see my riders in various parts of France to work one on one with them on their off season programs that will include fixed gear road rides, some pool work, running, lifting and stability ball work....Our first camp is from November 23 to the first week of December and we're off on a mission to regain ProTour status.